About St. George · Hermann, Missouri
St. George Catholic Church is a parish of approximately 400 households serving Hermann, Missouri and the surrounding river-hill community of Gasconade County. It belongs to the Diocese of Jefferson City and operates St. George Catholic School, a Pre-K through 8th-grade faith-based school whose students are known as the St. George Dragons. The current church, perched atop a hill overlooking the Missouri River town, was built by German settlers and dedicated in 1916; its stained-glass windows depicting the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy draw thousands of visitors each year. The parish also maintains the nearby Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows and partners with Church of the Risen Savior as part of its wider pastoral care.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- St. George (martyr, soldier-saint)
- Rector
- Fr. Philip (Phil) Niekamp
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. George is a welcoming, multigenerational river-hill parish with deep German-Catholic roots and an active school (Pre-K through 8th) where faith and academics meet daily. Its iconic 1916 hilltop church — with remarkable stained-glass windows of the Works of Mercy and Gothic altars carved by the Franciscan Brothers — draws visitors every year, and the parish extends that hospitality through Polka Masses at Maifest and Oktoberfest, pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, RCIA/OCIA for new and returning Catholics, and an annual parish festival. Newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors are explicitly invited to register, attend Mass, and join the life of the parish.
Mass times at St. George
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (at St. George)
- Saturdays: 4:00 PM (alt phrasing on the parish site)
- Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows — 2nd Tuesday, May–November: 11:15 AM (followed by Noon Mass)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. George Catholic Church presents itself as a vibrant, welcoming, ~400-household parish serving Hermann, Missouri and the surrounding communities. Its homepage invites new residents, visitors, and returning Catholics to worship, register, and join parish life. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Jefferson City and operates St. George Catholic School, a Pre-K through 8th-grade faith-based school whose values are rooted in the Catholic faith. The current pastor, Fr. Phil Niekamp, signs a bulletin each week that is linked on the parish home page.
Our History
St. George Parish dates its founding to 1840, when thirty-three German Catholic settlers — led by trustees Magnus Will, Coelestin Diebold, and Bernard Niehoff — organized the congregation in the new town of Hermann. The first stone church was begun in 1845 and completed and dedicated in 1850 under the first settled pastor, Rev. Laurentius Kuepper. The parish was entrusted to the Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province in March 1875, who over the next four decades remodeled the old church, built the still-standing bell tower (c. 1892–1900), and hand-carved three ornate Gothic altars from local butternut. In 1914 the parish launched a major building program; the present 'imposing structure of simple Gothic architecture,' with new rectory and school, was dedicated by Archbishop John J. Glennon on July 9, 1916. The parish marked its centenary on September 23, 1945, and its 150th anniversary in 1995.
- 1840: Congregation organized by 33 German Catholic settlers led by Magnus Will, Coelestin Diebold, and Bernard Niehoff
- 1845: Construction begins on the original stone church
- 1849: Rev. Laurentius Kuepper appointed as the first settled pastor
- 1850: First church completed and dedicated by Very Rev. Fr. Muehlsiepen, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
- 1866: 14-foot brick sanctuary/sacristy addition on the south side
- 1868: Parochial school founded; Fr. Hinssen personally teaches the first two months
- 1872: First combined school and Sisters' home built under Fr. Schilling
- March 1875: Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province take charge of the parish and missions
- 1887: Franciscan Sisters of Lafayette, Indiana, take over the school
- c. 1892–1900: Bell tower added to the old church (later integrated into the 1916 church)
- 1914: Major building program launched — new church, rectory, and school
- July 9, 1916: Present Gothic-style church dedicated by Archbishop John J. Glennon
- September 23, 1945: Parish celebrates its centenary
- 1995: Parish celebrates 150th anniversary
- 2025: 175th Anniversary Festival planned
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present St. George Church, dedicated in 1916, is described in the parish's own history as 'an imposing structure of simple Gothic architecture, a monument to the craftsmanship of the Franciscan Brothers who were the architects and builders.' Its interior is dominated by three ornate Gothic altars hand-carved from locally grown butternut by the Franciscan Brothers, originally made for the old church and carefully relocated. The sanctuary is also home to remarkable stained-glass windows depicting the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, which the parish website flags as a must-see: 'the incredible stained glass windows depicting the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are something to behold!' A virtual tour of the stained-glass windows is available on the parish site.
- Simple Gothic architectural style, designed and built by the Franciscan Brothers
- Three hand-carved Gothic altars in locally harvested butternut wood
- Stained-glass windows of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
- Bell tower preserved from the c. 1892–1900 church and integrated into the 1916 structure
- Virtual tour of the stained glass windows offered on the parish website
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its pastor, Fr. Philip (Phil) Niekamp, who currently serves St. George and contributes a weekly note in the parish bulletin. Fr. Phil's note on the Holy Orders / Vocations page reflects his pastoral concern for priestly vocations in the diocese and universal Church. The Franciscans staffed the parish from 1875 onward, and the parish maintains a long list of pastors — both diocesan and Franciscan — across its history. The parish office is staffed Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Pastor: Fr. Philip (Phil) Niekamp
- Diocesan affiliation: Diocese of Jefferson City
- Parish Office open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: 573-486-2723 (Church); 573-486-5914 (School)
St. George Catholic School
St. George Catholic School is a Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school whose mission centers on faith, virtue, and academic excellence. The school's own statement describes it as 'a Faith Based community which fosters Catholic values while empowering students with strong academics.' Students are nicknamed the St. George Dragons. The school has continuous roots back to 1868, when Fr. W. Hinssen founded the parish school and taught the first two months himself before hiring a teacher. It has been staffed for generations by religious sisters and is now led by a principal and a staff of lay Catholic educators, including homeroom teachers for Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, and grades 1–8, plus STEAM, art, resource/PE, middle-school math, ELA, social studies, and science teachers, an After-School Care Director, an Administrative Assistant, a Cafeteria Director, and maintenance staff.
- Pre-K 3 through 8th grade
- Mascot: St. George Dragons
- Principal and full lay Catholic faculty and staff
- Specials: Art, Resource/PE, STEAM
- After-School Care program
- School Address: 133 West 4th Street, Hermann, MO 65041
- School Phone: 573-486-5914
- Mission: 'Centered in Faith, Shining in Virtues'
- Mission commitments: Catholic values and stewardship, safe Christian environment, integrating spirituality, technology, and problem-solving
Parish Life & Cultural Heritage
The parish keeps its German-Catholic heritage alive through an annual calendar of beloved cultural events. The most popular include the Maifest Polka Mass on the Third Sunday of May, the Spring Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows the same weekend, the Fall Pilgrimage on the Second Sunday of September, the Oktoberfest Polka Mass, and the Annual Fall Supper (widely known as 'the Smorgasbord') on the Second Sunday of October. The 175th Anniversary Festival is also planned for 2025.
- Maifest Polka Mass — Third Sunday in May
- Spring Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows — Third Sunday in May
- Fall Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows — Second Sunday in September
- Oktoberfest Polka Mass — date TBA
- Annual Fall Smorgasbord — Second Sunday in October
- 175th Anniversary Festival — TBD (2025)
Joining the Parish, RCIA & Returning Catholics
The 'Join Our Parish' page invites new residents, visitors, and returning Catholics to register, fill out a Time & Talent form, and, if not yet Catholic or seeking full initiation, register for OCIA (formerly RCIA). The parish says plainly: 'If you were raised Catholic and have been away from the Church, we are humbled and excited to welcome you back home.' Those who wish to return or explore the faith are encouraged to contact the pastor or the parish office to learn more or schedule Reconciliation. The parish also points visitors to the 'Catholics Come Home' website.
- New Parishioner Registration Form (online)
- Time, Talent, and Treasure form
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Registration Form
- Returning Catholics welcomed back to the faith
- Catholics Come Home — external resource linked
Vocations & Holy Orders
St. George dedicates a page to supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Fr. Phil Niekamp writes openly about the priest shortage facing the diocese and universal Church and the steps his parish is taking in response. The parish supports vocations by purchasing religious or vocation-oriented books and items for St. George School, supporting Vocations Day at the school, sending letters to First Communicants, sending letters of congratulations and encouragement to 8th-grade and high-school graduates, and praying collectively and individually for vocations. The parish is currently without a standing Vocations Committee and asks interested parishioners to express interest via the parish office or Time & Talent form.
- Pastoral note from Fr. Phil Niekamp on the priest-shortage crisis
- Books and items for St. George School
- Vocations Day at St. George School
- Letters to First Communicants
- Letters to 8th-grade and high-school graduates
- Collective and individual prayer for vocations
- Open invitation to form a Vocations Committee
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish website organizes its sacramental life around the seven Catholic sacraments, including dedicated pages for Holy Orders (vocations). The parish's own centenary history records 3,945 baptisms, 2,019 confirmations, 1,611 holy marriages, and 2,388 Christian burials across its first century — a vivid portrait of a vigorously sacramental community. Schedules for weddings, funerals, and Reconciliation are coordinated through the parish office, with regular confession times published on the home page.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing, Holy Orders, Matrimony
- Confession: Saturdays 4:00–4:30 PM at St. George; 11:15 AM at the Shrine on the 2nd Tuesday (May–Nov)
- OCIA/RCIA for catechumens and candidates
- Pastoral care coordinated through the parish office
Visit & Contact
St. George Church is 'nestled atop a hill overlooking the town of Hermann.' The parish office, located behind St. George Church across from St. George School, is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. The Diocese of Jefferson City chancery offices are listed at the bottom of the website for additional diocesan support.
- Address: 124 W. 4th Street, Hermann, MO
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Church Phone: 573-486-2723
- School Phone: 573-486-5914
- Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery: 573-635-9127
- Thousands of visitors each year, per the parish's own welcome page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Laurentius Kuepper1849–1851
First settled pastor; completed the first stone church begun in 1845 and dedicated it in 1850.
- Rev. George Sicerk1851–c.1861
Organized missions at Little Berger, Morrison, Berger Station, Chamois, and Rhineland.
- Rev. F. Ruessec.1861–1866
Built the new pastoral residence.
- Rev. W. Klevinghaus1866–1868
Added the south-side brick sanctuary/sacristy addition.
- Rev. W. Hinssen1868–1870
Founded St. George's parochial school in 1868, teaching the first two months himself.
- Rev. A. Schilling1870–1875+
Built the first combined school and Sisters' home in 1872.
- Rev. Libarius Schaefermeyer, O.S.F.1875 onward (Franciscan era begins)
First Franciscan pastor after the order took charge of the parish in March 1875.
- Rev. Dominicus Droessler, O.S.F.
Franciscan pastor/superior.
- Rev. Lullius Muss, O.S.F.
Franciscan pastor/superior.
- Rev. Felix Horbach, O.S.F.
Franciscan pastor/superior.
- Rev. Ambrose Janssen, O.S.F.1886–
Born 1838 in Susterseel, Prussia; became Superior of the Hermann Franciscan Monastery and pastor on July 15, 1886.
- Rev. Friedrich Hundhausen
Listed among pastors of the first half-century.
- Rev. Friedrich Birkner
First-half-century pastor.
- Rev. Karl Nestel
First-half-century pastor.
- Rev. Konrad Eppens
First-half-century pastor.
- Rev. Karl Feldman
First-half-century pastor.
- Rev. Herman Koenig
First-half-century pastor.
- Rev. William Beck1894–1899
Second-half-century pastor.
- Rev. H. Bender1900–1905
Second-half-century pastor.
- Rev. L. Suedmeyer1906–1912
Second-half-century pastor.
- Rev. Rudolph Kasmann1912–1944
Second-half-century pastor; oversaw the 1916 building program.
- Rev. Henry G. Kroehler1944–1948
Opened the parish's second century.
- Rev. Friedrich Rest1948–
Identified in 1950 parish history as the 'present pastor' at that writing.